PAAU VC Meets SUG, Hostel Governors, Assures Improved Welfare, Infrastructure
By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to enhancing student welfare and addressing infrastructural challenges in campus hostels.
According to Uredo Omale, Public Relations Officer, PAAU, Anyigba, Prof. Ogbo Usman gave the assurance on Tuesday during an interactive session with the Students’ Union Government (SUG) executives and Hostel Governors, led by SUG President Ridwan Abubakar.
Commending the student leadership for their maturity, discipline and perseverance, the Vice-Chancellor noted that his previous roles as Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic and former Dean of Students’ Affairs at the institution, then known as Kogi State University, have provided him with a solid understanding of student-related concerns.
He disclosed that although the university had 13 boreholes, only one was functional upon his assumption of office. According to him, management has since taken proactive steps to improve water supply, including drilling a new borehole, rehabilitating five others and repairing water tankers to ensure consistent distribution.
“My responsibility is to identify and address issues,” he said, urging students to always channel their concerns through appropriate communication channels for timely intervention.
Describing himself as “a comrade,” Prof. Usman reiterated plans for a comprehensive renovation of hostels to improve students’ living conditions. He also encouraged students to make judicious use of available facilities, while assuring them of management’s non-interference in student union affairs.
The Vice-Chancellor called for unity and cooperation among students, urging them to support the university management and the state government in delivering sustainable solutions to campus challenges.
He further advised students to remain security conscious and avoid social vices.
Reaffirming management’s stance on discipline, he reiterated the ban on final-year celebrations within the university community.
In a significant development, Prof. Usman announced that Hostel Governors would henceforth be exempted from paying accommodation fees, directing that refunds be made to those currently serving.
Earlier, SUG President Ridwan Abubakar appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the engagement, noting that the meeting provided an avenue to highlight pressing issues affecting students, particularly sanitation challenges in the hostels.
He identified persistent cases of blocked water closets and advocated for the provision of designated waste disposal pits to address the problem.
In their separate remarks, the Hostel Governors commended the Vice-Chancellor for the initiative and pledged their continued support towards maintaining order and improving hostel conditions.
The meeting was attended by the Bursar, Mr Ahmed Hudu Abdulsalami; the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Professor Adetunji Sunday Adegoke; and the Director of Works, Engineer Shaibu Abutu Ukwenya.
